Binder comb forming machine



y 1953 c. WIDELL 3,089,370

BINDER COMB FORMING MACHINE Filed May 6, 1959 11 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

y 14, 1953 c. WIDELL 3,089,370

BINDER COMB FORMING MACHINE Filed May 6, 1959 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 wrong sata- INVENTOR. CHARLES Io u.

BY%,M

AT'TY.

May 14, 1963 c. WiDELL BINDER CQMB FORMING MACHINE 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 6, 1959 y 4, 1963 c. WIDELL 3,089,370

BINDER COMB FORMING MACHINE File d May 6, 1959 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. CHARLES WiDEL BYW May 14, 1963 c. WIDELL 3,089,370

BINDER COMB FORMING MACHINE Filed May 6, 1959 ll Sheets-Sheet 5 (E- [Ill/ll /Y I Ill/ll Ill/ll/ll/l/l/ I III/l 1' INVENTOR. CHARLES WIDELL.

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1 A'r-r y 1963 c. WIDELL 3,089,370

BINDER COMB FORMING MACHINE Filed May 6. 1959 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. Q :8 CHARLES WIDELL A'r'rv.

May 14, 1963 c. WIDELL BINDER coma FORMING MACHINE 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed May 6, 1959 INVENTOR. CHARLES Moan.

ATTY.

11 Sheets-Sheet 8 May 14, 1963 c. WIDELL BINDER coma FORMING momma Filed May a, 1959 f L w m w m m m m A W 5 a L R A H C m 3N c 3 I I bN a: & 3 3N E T 5 8 9s mnw u .ll'il I VflZTt/l/l/f/ V/IA V y 1963 c. WIDELL 3,089,370

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CHARLES Mom. BY

May 14, 1963 c. WI DELL 3,089,370

BINDER COMB FORMING MACHINE Filed May 6, 1959 11 Sheets-Sheet 10 INVENTOR. CHARLES Wweu.

BY% W ATTYU May 14, 1963 c. WIDELL BINDER COMB FORMING MACHINE Filed May 6, 1959 11 Sheets-Sheet 11 Muh- . 17/!4 IIIIII\;IA I 'IIIII V aimm'iwi 7 Ii: III/IIIIIIIIIIIA '1!!! i INVENTOR. CHARLES WIDELL WWW United States Patent 3,089,370 BINDER COMB FORMING MACHlNE Charles Widell, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Plastic Binding Corporation, Chicago, III., a corporation of Delaware Filed May 6, 1959, Ser. No. 811,488 7 Claims. (CI. 83-89) This invention relates to a machine for making combshaped plastic members of the type used for binding books.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a machine for making comb-shaped plastic elements which are later to be formed into tubular binders of the type used for sheet binding purposes, which machine operates automatically and at a relatively high rate of speed to produce such elements from fiat rectangular plastic blanks.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a machine of the type stated in which adjustments can be made quickly and easily thereon to accommodate blanks of various widths for purposes of producing combshaped elements in various sizes.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a machine of the type stated which forms two combshaped elements of substantially identical size and shape irrespective of the width of the blank used and wherein the blanks are cut in such a manner that only a minimum of trimming and consequent waste of material is thereafter required.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a machine of the type stated in which the completed elements are automatically deposited in side by side relationship on a pair of racks with the teeth of the elements all oriented in one direction so that subsequent handling of the elements is readily facilitated.

The attainment of the above and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the accom panying drawing forming a part thereof.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational View of a machine constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view of the machine;

FIG. 5 is a right side elevational view of the machine;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 88 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of a portion of the machine as seen from line 99 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the structure shown in FIG. 10 and showing the ejector mechanism in the released position;

FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 are fragmentary sectional views taken along lines 12-12, 13-13 and 1414 respectively, of FIG. 9;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 15-45 of FIG. 10; and

FIGS. 16 and 17 are fragmentary sectional views taken along lines 16-16 and 17-17 respectively, of FIG. 1.

Referring now in more detail and by reference charac ters to the drawing, and in particular to FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 7 and 8 thereof, 1 designates a machine comprising a base 2 including four spaced upstanding posts 3, 4, 5, 6 which are rigidly joined together by means of successively con- 3,089,370 Patented May 14, 1963 nected top angle members 7, 8, 9 and 10, and bottom angle members 11, 12, 13, 14. At their lower ends the posts 3, 4, 5, 6 are provided with vertically adjustable feet 15 whereby the base 2 can be leveled to rest firmly upon the floor. Mounted on and extending between the top angle members 8, 1t) and somewhat inwardly of the angle members 7, 8 are spaced parallel bars 16, 17 having short upstanding plate-like elements 18, 19, 20, 21 bolted thereto at their ends. The elements 18, 19, 20, 21 are bolted to an additional set of bars 22, 23 which lie parallel to and in upward vertical alignment with the bars 16, 17. At their upper ends the elements 18, 19, 20, 21 are joined by transverse connecting members 24, 25, and bolted to and extending vertically from the connecting member 25 approximately midway between the ends thereof is a post 26 which is also bolted to the back side of and supports one end of a large vertical plate 27. Also bolted to the bars 16, 17 adjacent the elements 18, 19 are spaced parallel upstanding journal plates 28, 29 which are joined at their upper ends by a horizontal connecting plate 30, the latter supporting the other end of the vertical plate 27.

Mounted on the upper end of the vertical plate 27 is a magazine 31 which includes a horizontal tray 32 and spaced parallel side walls 33, 34. The tray 32 is provided with spaced parallel grooves 35, 36 which slidably receive ribs 37, 38 formed on the underside of a carriage 39. Between the grooves 35, 36 the tray 32 is formed with a slot 40 which slidably receives a bolt 41, the latter projecting downwardly from the base of the carriage 39. The carriage 39 is, furthermore, provided with vertically spaced cross members 42, 43 and secured to the cross members 42, 43 by means of bolts 44, is a plurality of spaced parallel vertical bars 45. The bars 45 are threaded and counterbored at 46 for receiving the bolts 44, and encircling the bolts 44 within the counterbores 46 are springs 47 which urge the bars 45 in a direction towards the plate 27. Connected to the bolt 41 is a suitable length of roller chain 48, the lower end of which is connected to a large weight 49 and the roller chain 48 is trained over idler wheels 50, 51. The idler wheel 50 is mounted on the underside of the tray 32 by means of brackets 52, 53 and the idler wheel 51 is mounted on an arm 54 which is, in turn, secured to the bar 22. Thus, when a plurality of rectangular plastic blanks b are placed within the magazine and on the tray 32 the lower edges of the blanks b will rest on the tray 32. The end blanks will facewise abut the plate 27 and bars 45 respectively and the Weight 49 will continuously urge the entire carriage 39 against the group of blanks causing firm pressure to be applied thereagainst. Furthermore, the spring 47 will press the individual bars 45 against the group of blanks and insure firm pressure thereagainst irrespective of any unevenness or warpage of the blanks.

Secured to the plate 27 by means of bolts 55 is a plurality of spaced parallel hold-down arms 56 each of which is provided with a longitudinal slot 57 whereby the several arms 56 can be adjusted so that the lower edges thereof make contact with the upper edges of the plurality of the blanks b. Formed in the plate 27 is a plurality of spaced parallel vertical slots 58 which slidably receive spaced parallel feed fingers 59, the latter being bolted to a feed plate 60. As best seen in FIG. 2, the feed plate '60 is located on the back side of the plate 29 and is slidable along vertical guides 61, 62. The slots 58 extend downwardly a substantial distance below the tray 32 and the feed fingers 59 projected a small amount into the magazine 31 so as to abut the end of that blank which is presented against the plate 27. The tray 32 does not fit flush against the plate 27 and the spacing between the two may be adjusted by means of a small clearance plate 63 (FIG. 17), the latter being secured in place by set screws 63' and normally set so that the clearance between this plate 63 and the plate 27 is just sufiicient to allow one of the blanks b to pass through the spaces therebetween.

Secured to the underside of the tray 32 by means of bolts 64 is a pair of spaced rods 65 which are cross connected by a horizontal rod 66, the latter having a plurality of spaced sleeves 67 mounted thereon. As best seen by the reference to FIG. 17 each of the sleeves 67 1S axially threaded at one end for receiving a hand screw 68 which engages the cross rod 66 and thereby locks the sleeve 67 in position thereon. Slidably mounted in each of the sleeves 67 is a plunger 69 which is biased towards the plate 27 by means of a coil spring 70 which is also mounted within the sleeve 67. At its outer end the plunger 69 has a roller 71 rotatably mounted thereon by means of a journal pin 72, and the roller 71 is normally biased against the plate 27 by means of a spring 70. The plunger 69 is also provided with a radial stop pin 73 which projects through a short axially extending slot 74 formed in the sleeve 67, whereby pin 73 and slot 74 limit the movement of the plunger 69.

Rockably mounted on the plate 60 by means of a pivot pin 75 is a socket member 76 into which is threaded one end of the connecting rod 77, the other end of the connecting rod 77 being, in turn, threaded into a similar socket member 78 (FIGS. 2 and 4). By adjusting either of the nuts 79, 80 the length of the connecting rod 77 may be varied. Secured to the socket member 78 is a pivot bolt 81 which rotatably mounts one end of the crank 82, which crank is also mounted on a crankshaft 83. The crankshaft 83 is supported in spaced aligned bearings 84, 85 mounted on an angle member 86 which extends between the posts 4, 5 downwardly of the top angle member 9. Mounted on the other end of the crankshaft 83 is a sprocket 87 around which is trained a drive chain 88, and the drive chain 88 is also trained around a sprocket 89 mounted on a shaft 90. As seen in FIGS. 4, 14 and 16 the shaft 90 is journalled in bearings 91, 92 which are mounted on the inwardly presented faces of the journal plates 28, 29, and also mounted on the shaft 90 between the bearings 91, 92 is a sprocket 93, which is in alignment with another sprocket 94, the latter being rigidly secured to a shaft 95. Journalling the shaft 95 in downwardly spaced relation to the shaft 90 are bearings 96, 97 which are mounted on a pair of angle members 98, 99 extending transversely of the base 2 at the upper end thereof. A roller chain 99' is trained around the sprockets 93, 94.

Also rigidly mounted on the shaft 95 adjacent the bearing 97 is a worm wheel 100, which meshes with a worm 101 mounted on a worm shaft 102 as best seen in FIGS. 7 and 14. The worm shaft 102 is journalled in the bearings 103, 104, which are rigidly secured to spaced parallel cross beams 105, 106 extending between the bars 22, 23. A pulley 107 is rigidly mounted on the worm shaft 102, and trained around the pulley 107 is a plurality of drive belts 108 which extend downwardly through the base 2 and are trained around a pulley 109 which is mounted on the shaft of a conventional electric motor 110. The motor 110 is adjustably bolted to a pair of transverse channels 111, 112 which are welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the bottom angle members 11, 13.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 7 and 16, it will be seen that the end of the worm shaft 102 is provided with a bevel gear 113 which meshes with a beveled pinion 114 mounted on a hand Wheel shaft 115, the latter projecting through the bar 22, and being provided on its outer end with a hand wheel 116. The shaft 115 is also journalled in a bearing 117 depending from a trans verse member 118, and also mounted on a shaft 115 is a collar 119. A spring 120 encircles the shaft 115 and is interposed between the bearing 117 and collar 119. Thus, by moving the shaft 115 axially in opposition to the spring 120 the pinion 114 can be made to engage the beveled gear 113 and thereby manually rotate the worm shaft 102.

Secured to the face of the plate 27 by means of a plurality of bolts 121 (FIG. 1 and 7) is a blank-supporting member 122 having vertical slots 123 through which the bolts 121 project, and on the outer vertical face of the member 122 is a retaining element 122. Rigidly secured to the plate 27 and depending therefrom is a pair of journal-forming arms 124, 125 which rotatably support a relatively long pinion 126. At one end the pinion 126 is provided with a manipulating knob 127. The pinion 126 meshes with vertical rack bars 128, 129 depending from the member 122 so that by loosening the bolts 121 and rotating the pinion 126 the position of the blank-supporting member 122 can be vertically adjusted to place the horizontal upper surface or shoulder 130 thereof in a number of positions toward and away from the magazine 31. Upon tightening of the bolts 121 the blank-supporting member 122 can be held in the selected position, and for purposes presently more fully appearing.

The plate 27 is provided with a rearward extension 131 upon which is mounted vertically spaced guides 132, 133 for Slidably receiving a reciprocating delivery bar 134. Slidably mounted on the forward end of the delivery bar 134 is a head 135 having a guide pin 136 projecting into said forward end of the delivery bar 134. Interposed between the head 135 and forward end of the bar 134 are springs 137 which normally bias the head 135 forwardly. However, the springs 137 permit the head 135 to be shifted rearwardly of the end of the bar 134 a limited amount. At its other end the delivery bar 134 is formed with a longitudinal slot 138 which receives a clamping screw 139, the latter being adapted to be rigidly clamped along the slot 138 in any one of a number of selected positions. Secured at one end to the clamping screw 139 is a link 140 which is pivotally secured at its other end to one end of a bell crank 141 which is, in turn, rockably mounted on a block 142 by means of a pivot pin 143. At its other end the bell crank 141 is pivotally connected to another link 144, and the other end of the link 144 is pivotally connected to a long follower rod 145. The follower rod 145 reciprocates in spaced pillow blocks 146, 147, and at 1ts forward end the follower rod 145 is provided with a small roller 148 which serves as a follower for a cam 149, the latter being mounted on the shaft 90.

Mounted at one end on the pillow block 147 is a pair of return springs 150, 151, the other ends of which are secured to a pin 152, the latter in turn being secured to the follower rod 145. The return springs 150, 151 bias the follower rod 145 towards the cam 149 and holds the roller 148 thereagainst. Rotation of the cam 149 drives the follower rod 145 causing the delivery bar 134 to move horizontally back and forth across the face of the plate 27.

Secured to the journal plates 28, 29 in downwardly spaced relation to the connecting plate 30 is another horizontal journal plate 153 which is supported on spaced parallel supports 154, 155. Mounted on the journal plate 153 and connecting plate 30 are bearings 156, 157, 158, 159 which journal spaced, parallel, vertical drum shafts .160, 161, and rigidly mounted on the drum shafts 160, 161 are drums 162, 163. The drums 162, 163 are provided on their outer peripheries with cutting dies 164, 165 which extend parallel to the axis of rotation of the shafts 160, 161 and are preferably rounded off at their ends. The cutting dies 164, 165 mesh, and interposed alternately of the cutting dies 164, 165 are U-shaped rubber strips 166, 167. Consequently as the drums 164, 165 rotate the cutting dies on one drum will press against the rubber strips 166, .167 of the other drum. The bearings 158, 159 are eccentrically mounted in a conventional manner and are adjustable by means of handles 168, 169

so that the drum 164 can be adjusted toward and away from the drum 165. Mounted on the lower end of the drum shaft 160 is a bevel gear 170 which meshes with a bevel gear 171 on the shaft 90 so that upon rotation of the shaft 90 power will be delivered to the drum shafts 160, 161 causing the drums 162, 163 to rotate in the opposite directions.

iRigidly mounted on the drum shaft 160 upwardly of the bearing 156 is a gear 172 which meshes with an idler gear 173 mounted on an idler shaft 174 as best seen in FIG. 9. The idler shaft 174 is journalled in a flange plate 175 which extends rearwardly from the connecting plate 30. Rigidly mounted on the forward end of the plate 27 are vertically spaced bearings 176, 177 which rotatably support a feed roller shaft 178, the latter being provided with a gear 179 meshing with the idler 173. Also mounted on the feed roller shaft 178 is a rubber feed roller 180, a portion of which projects through an opening 181 forming in a plate 27. Mounted on vertically spaced bearing blocks 182, 183 and on the other side of the plate 27 is a rock shaft 184 having rigidly clamped thereon an outwardly extending arm 185, and rotatably mounted on the arm 185 by means of the journal pin 186 is a shiftable rubber feed roller 187. The arm 185 is provided at the end opposite the roller 187 with a stop 188 which is adapted to bear against the plate 27 between the feed rollers 180, 187 and drums 162, 163. Mounted on one face of the arm 185 is a leaf spring .189 which also bears against the plate 27 adjacent the stop 188. A follower arm 190 is also mounted on the rock shaft 184 and the follower arm 190 is provided on its outer end with a roller 191, the latter being adapted to periodically contact a cam 192. A spring 192 is connected to the arm 190 and member 30 so as to hold the stop 188 against the plate 27 when the cam 192 is out of contact with the roller 191. The cam 192 is mounted on the drum shaft 161 outwardly of the connecting plate 30.

Formed in the plate 27 adjacent to but rearwardly of feed rollers 180, 187 is a vertical slot 193 for receiving a shaft 194 having a hold-down roller 195 mounted thereon. Adjacent the roller 195 the shaft 194 is provided with a collar 196, and extending axially through the shaft 194 is a bolt 197 having a wing not 198 threaded thereon at one end. By loosening the wing nut 198 the position of the hold down roller may be adjusted to various positions along the slot 1923.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, it will be seen that outwardly from the connecting plate 30 in upwardly spaced parallel relation to the supports i154, 155 is a second pair of supports 199, 200, the supports 154, 155, 199, 200 being connected by transverse cross beams 201, 202. Secured to the lower cross beam 201 by means of short vertical posts 203, 204 are guides 205, 206 each having opposed somewhat L-shaped guide arms 207, 208 which converge toward each other and terminate just forwardly of the region of contact of the drums 162, 163. Also mounted on the cross beam 201 adjacent the guide arms 207, 208 is an additional guide member 209 which includes spaced parallel upstanding elements 210, 211 which extend toward the drums 162, 163 and terminate in closely spaced relationship thereto. Between the walls 210, 211 is a somewhat triangulated member 212 having side walls 213, 214 which converge in a direction away from the drums 162, 163 whereby the triangulated memher 212 and elements 210, 211 define separate passageways 215, 216.

Rockably mounted on the cross beams 201 are four arms 217, 218, 219, 220 and similarly rockably mounted on the upper cross beam 202 are four arms 221, 222, 223, 224. The several arms 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224 rotatably support four roller shafts 225, 226, 227, 228 upon which are mounted four elongated rubber covered feed rollers 229, 230, 231, 232. Adjacent the arms 221, 222, 223, 224, the roller shafts 225, 226, 227, 228 are provided with gears 234, 235, 236, 237 which successively mesh with each other, and also mounted on the shaft 227 adjacent the gear 236 is a sprocket 238. Trained around the sprocket 238 is a roller chain 239 which is also trained around a large diameter sprocket 240, the latter being rigidly mounted on the drum shaft 160. Mounted on the cross beams 261, 202 laterally outwardly of the arms 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224 are blocks 240, 241, 242, 243 which receive springs 244, 245, 246, 247 for resiliently biasing the rollers 229, 230, 231, 232 together. The tension in the springs 244, 245, 246, 247 may be varied by means of bolts 248, 249, 250, 251 which are threaded into the blocks 240, 241, 242, 243. As best seen by reference to FIG. 10 the rollers 229, 230, 231, 232 terminate in closely spaced relation to the elements 210, 211 and triangulated member 212 so that the line of contact between the rollers 229, 230 is located just outside the passageway 215 while the line of contact between the rollers 231, 232 is similarly located just outside the passagcway 216. The springs 244, 245, 246, 247 permit the rollers 229, 230, 231, 232 to separate a limited amount while at the same time allowing the gears 234, 235, 236, 237 to remain in mesh so that all four shafts and associated rollers 229, 230, 231, 232 will be power driven through the roller chain 239.

Secured to the base 2 forwardly thereof is an out-rigger frame 252 comprising a rear upright 253, a somewhat smaller front upright 254, and an intermediate upright 255. The outrigger frame 252 also includes longitudinal frame members 256, 257, 258 a transverse angle member 259 at one end, and a short transverse supporting strut 260 at the other end. The rearwardmost frame member 258 is joined to the upper bar 23 by means of a connecting member 261. The front longitudinal frame member 256 is joined to the angle member 7 by means of a bracket 262. Each of the uprights 253, 254, 255 may be provided with feet 263 which are similar to the feet 15 previously described. Somewhat centrally of the longitudinal frame members 257, 258 the outrigger frame 252 is provided with a longitudinally extending channel 264 which is joined to a vertical post 265, the latter being provided at its lower end with a foot member 266.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 9-H and 15, a somewhat rectilinear comb-receiving frame 267 is mounted on the channel 264 and extends lengthwise therealong. The frame 267 has spaced parallel side plates 268, 269 and top and bottom plates 270, 271 which extend laterally outwardly of the side plates 268, .269. Hingedly secured to the top plate 270 in outwardly spaced relation to the side plates 268, 269 are panels 272, 273, and mounted on the plates 268, 269 and extending along the outer surfaces thereof is a plurality of lengths of wire stock 274, for purposes presently more fully appearing. Mounted at the top and bottom plates 270, 271 by means of spaced aligned bearings 275, 276 is a pair of spaced parallel vertical spindles 277, 278 each of which is provided with a pinion 279, 279 thereon, the pinions being located outwardly of the top plate 270 (FIG. 1). Upwardly a short distance from. the bottom plate 271 the pinion shafts 277, 278 are each provided with two pairs of opposed slots 280, 281 for receiving upper and lower sets of ejectors 282, 283, the latter projecting outwardly through horizontal slots 284, 285 formed in the side plates 268, 269. At their opposite ends each pair of ejectors is connected by tension springs 286, 287 which hold the pairs of ejectors 282, 283 firmly into contact with the slotted portions 280, 281 of the spindles 277, 278. As seen by reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 the ejectors 282, 283 terminate at one end closely adjacent to the feed rollers 229, 230, 231, 232.

Mounted on the top plate 270 are spaced aligned guide blocks 288, 289, 290 for shiftably supporting a rack bar 291 which meshes with both of the pinions 279, 279. Intermediate its ends the rack bar 291 is operatively con nected to a linkage 292 which is, in turn, connected to one end of an actuator arm 293, the latter being supported in spaced guide members 294', 295. These guide members 294, 295 are mounted on a base plate 296 which is secured to the cross beam 202. At its outer end, the actuator arm 293 is provided with a roller 297 which serves as a follower for a earn 298 mounted on the drum shaft 160. Mounted on the guide member 295 and arm 293 are spring anchors 299, 300 and connected to the spring anchors 299, 30-0 is a return spring 301 which holds the roller 297 in contact with the cam 298.

Extending downwardly and laterally at an angle from the bottom plate 271 is a first collecting rack 302 which includes spaced parallel strips of sheet metal 303 which are secured at their lower ends to an abutment flange 304. Similarly a second collecting rack 305 is mounted below the first collecting rack 302, and the second collecting rack 302 includes spaced parallel strips of sheet metal 306 which extend from the longitudinal member 258 downwardly and forwardly towards an abutment flange 307.

In the use of the machine 1 the carriage 39 is pulled back and a plurality of equally sized fiat rectangular plastic blanks b are placed in the magazine 31. Upon release of the carriage 39 the weight 49 will pull the carriage 39 into firm contact with the several blanks b. When the motor 110 is turned on power will be delivered to the shaft 83 causing the connecting rod 77 to shift the feed plate 60 upwardly and downwardly along the guides 61, 62. When the feed plate 60 reaches the top of its stroke the feed fingers 59 will pull the first blank b downwardly between the clearance plate 6-3 and plate 27 and into contact with the upper surface or shoulder 130 of the blank supporting member 122. During the downward movement of the blank b the rollers 71 will hold the blank against the plate 27. The cam 149 will also be rotating to drive the follower rod 145 which in turn will cause the head 135 of the delivery bar 134 to move into engagement with the end of the blank b just after the blank is positioned on the shoulder 130. Continued movement of the delivery bar 134 then feeds the blank along the shoulder 130 until the leading edge of the blank abuts the stop 188. As the blank slides under the roller 195 the latter will hold the blank against the shoulder 130 and thereby eliminate any tendency for the blank to jump upwardly as a result of the movement of the blank along the shoulder 1.30. Since the head 135 of the delivery bar 134 is capable of a limited amount of shifting movement along the delivery bar 134, the head 135 will ordinarily shift a certain amount in accordance with minor variations in the length of the blank b. When the blank b is flush against the stop 188 the spring 189 will also bear against the blank at a point spaced from the end of the blank which is against the stop 188. When the blank is in this position, the cam 192 is out of contact with the roller 191 so that even though the feed roller 180 is in contact with one side of the blank the feed roller 187 is out of contact with the other side of the blank. When the cam 192 comes into contact with the roller 191 the stop 188 will be retracted from the forward edge of the blank and at the same time the feed roller 187 will press against the outwardly presented face of the blank. The spring 189 will flex slightly as the stop is retracted and insure that the end of the blank is held against the plate 27 as the stop 188 is retracted and thus eliminate any tendency for the stop 188 to pull the end of the blank away from the plate 27.

The feed rollers 180, 187 then feed the blank b between the drums 162, 163 so that the cutting dies 164, 165 cut the blank along a continuous serpentine path and form two comb-shaped elements e e The horizontal path of movement of the blank b is predetermined by the position of the shoulder 130 on the blank supporting member 122 and the latter is adjusted so that the blank b will be fed between the drums in such a manner that the backbones of the comb-shaped elements will be of equal width. It should be noted that the retraction of the stop 188 is timed to the rotation of the drums 162, 163 with the result that the drums 162, 163 are in a precisely predetermined position of orientation each time a blank is fed therebetween. As a result of this arrangement a maximum amount of the blank is used in the fabrication of the comb-shaped elements and only a small portion need be trimmed oif of one of the elements thus formed. As the blanks are fed between the drums 162, 163, the rub ber strips 166, 167 will yield as the die on the other drum presses thereagainst and as each die moves away from the corresponding rubber strip on the other drum the resiliency of the rubber strips in returning to their normal positions press against the teeth on the elements and separate the two elements from each other.

As the combshaped elements 2 e leave the drums they are guided along separate paths by the guide arms 207, 208 which direct the elements 6 e along the passageways 215, 216 so that the leading edges of the elements e 6 are gripped by the power driven feed rollers 229, 230, 231, 232. These feed rollers tend to separate slightly in accordance with the thickness of the elemnets e 6 but since the rollers are rubber covered and are spring biased toward each other they will remain in firm driving contact with the elements. The feed rollers 229, 230, 231, 232 then deliver the elements 6 e along substantially straight parallel paths to the bottom plate 271 in a vertical position so that the upper portion of the elements lie between the panels 272 and side plates 268, 269 as shown in FIG. 15. When the elements 0 2 are so delivered to the bottom plate 271 the teeth in the element e are downwardly presented and the free edges thereof rest on the bottom plate 271 while in the element 6 the backbone will rest on the bottom plate 271 with the teeth directed upwardly. Since the lengths of wire stock 274 are disposed along the side plate 268, 269 these wire stock members will prevent any appreciable amount of faccwise contact between the elements and the side plate 268, 269. It has been found that plastic strips of this character have a tendency to build up large quantities of static electricty as the blanks pass through the several operations of the machine. The wire stock members 274 thus prevent the elements 2 e from sticking to the side plates 268, 269 by reason of such static electricity.

At a point in time just after the elements have been transferred to the bottom plate 271 in the manner just described, the high point of the cam 298 will be in contact with the roller 297 to drive the arm 293 forwardly and shift the rack bar 291, causing the pinions and associated spindles 277, 278 to rotate from the positions shown in FIG. 10 to that shown in FIG. ll. As this occurs the spindles 277, 278 will urge both sets of ejectors 282, 283 further outwardly through the slots 284, 285 causing the elements e e to be ejected from the combreceiving frame 267. The element e will then drop downwardly on to the first rack 302 so that the strips of sheet metal 303 will be disposed in the space between the teeth of the comb-shaped element and support the element on its backbone at the base of the teeth. Since the strips 303 are inclined downwardly the element will then slide downwardly therealong until it abuts the stop plate 304. Similarly the element e will drop downwardly on to the second rack 305. However, the teeth on this element e: are presented upwardly when the element 0 is ejected from the frame 267. The second collecting frame 305 is located downwardly of the first collecting station 302 and this distance is such that when the element e is ejected the latter will be inverted as it falls down wardly on to the metal strips 306 so that as it reaches the strips 306 the teeth on the element e will be presented in a generally downward direction. Consequently, the elements 2 can be collected at the bottom of the strips 306 and be oriented in the same direction as the group of elements on the first collecting station 302. The spacing of the several sets of strips 303, 306 is, of course,

approximately equal to the center to center spacing on the cut-out portion between the teeth and, moreover, the several groups of strips 363, 306 extend somewhat forwardly towards the end angle member 259. This insures that the strips 303, 306 will always catch the elements even though they are not ejected precisely at right angles to the frame 305. The completed elements e e can then be trimmed and rolled into completed binding elements in the manner well known in the art.

If it is desired to supply blanks of a different width to the machine it is merely necessary to load the magazine 31 in the manner previously described and thereafter adjust the arms 5-6 so that their lower edges contact the upper edges of these blanks. The vertical position of the roller 195 is also adjusted by loosening the wing nut 198. Moreover, the bolts 121 can be loosened so that the knob 127 can be manipulated for purposes of moving the blank supporting member 122 upwardly and downwardly in accordance with the width of the blanks in the magazine. The pinion 126 and rack bars 128, 129 assure that the shoulder 130 is maintained in a truly horizontal position.

The foregoing manner of adjusting the member 122, the roller 195, and arms 56 is of importance since in the use of the machine it is frequently necessary to change the size of the comb-shaped elements depending upon the size of the book to be bound. For example, the machine may be set for blanks of one width and it is thereafter desired to manufacture a limited number of elements of a diiferent width. The blanks in the magazine can be removed and the new size blanks can be inserted therein whereupon the arms 56 and member 122 can be adjusted in a relatively short period of time in the manner aforesaid. Upon completion of the manufacture of the new size of comb-shaped elements, the arms 56, roller 195 and member 122 can be reset to their former positions and the blanks previously removed can be reinsorted into the magazine 31.

In compliance with the requirements of the patent statutes I have herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention. it is, however, to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction herein shown, the same being merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. What is considered new and desired to the secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A machine for making comb-shaped elements, said machine comprising cutting means operable to cut a blank and form two comb-shaped elements the teeth of which project in opposite directions, guide members for directing the movement of the two elements as they are discharged from the cutting means, a frame having openings on the opposite sides thereof, means between said frame and guide members for receiving the elements from the guide members and transferring the elements to positions on said frame, in which position the teeth on one element project upwardly and the teeth on the other element project downwardly, means mounted on the frame and including opposed members projecting through said openings, means for shifting said opposed members in opposite directions and thereby discharge the elements from the frame, and means below said frame for collecting the ejected elements and supporting them on their backbone at the base of the teeth.

2. A machine for making comb-shaped elements, said machine comprising a magazine for holding a supply of substantially flat blanks, a blank-supporting member located in spaced relation to the magazine, means for withdrawing the blanks successively from said magazine and placing one edge of the blank against said member, stop means remote from said blank when the latter is initially placed on said member, feeding means operatively associated with the stop means and being actuable upon release of said stop means, means for advancing the blank along said member and into engagement with 10 the stop means, means for maintaining said blank in contact with the member as the blank is advanced therealong, cutting means located adjacent said stop means and being provided with meshing cutting dies extending transversely of the path of movement of said blank, means for releasing said stop means and simultaneously causing the feeding means to feed the blank between the dies, said cutting dies being operable, as the blank passes therethrough, to cut said blank and form two comb-shaped elements, means for carrying the two elements along different paths after the elements have been discharged from the cutting means, a frame for receiving the two elements from said last mentioned means, ejector means operatively associated with the frame for ejecting the elements in opposite directions therefrom, in timed relation to the operation of the cutting means, and collector means for receiving the elements ejected from said frame.

3. A machine for making comb-shaped elements, said machine comprising a magazine for holding a supply of substantially flat blanks, a blank-supporting member located in spaced relation to the magazine, means for withdrawing the blanks successively from said magazine and placing one edge of the blank against said member, stop means remote from said blank when the latter is initially placed on said member, feeding means operatively associated with the stop means, means for advancing the blank along said member and into engagement with the stop means, means for maintaining said blank in contact with the member as the blank is advanced therealong, cutting means located adjacent said stop means and being provided with meshing dies extending transversely of the path of movement of said blank, means for releasing said stop means and simultaneously causing the feeding means to feed the blank between the dies, said cutting dies being operable, as the blank passes thcrethrough, to cut said blank in such a manner as to form two combshaped elements the teeth of which project in opposite directions, guide means for directing the two elements along different paths after the elements have been discharged from cutting means, a frame, means interposed in the paths of movement of said elements for transferring said elements from the guide means to spaced positions on said frame with the teeth on the elements projecting in opposite directions, ejector means operativcly associated with the frame for ejecting the elements in opposite directions from said frame, collector means for receiving the elements ejected and supporting them on their backbones, and means for operating the withdrawing means, advancing means, stop releasing means, and ejector means in timed relation.

4. A machine for making comb-shaped elements, said machine comprising a magazine for holding a supply of substantially flat blanks, a blank-supporting member located in downwardly spaced relation to said magazine and being adjustable toward and away from said magazine, means for withdrawing the blanks successively from said magazine and placing the downwardly presented edge of the blank against said member, stop means horizontally spaced from said blank when the latter is initially placed on said member, feeding means operatively as sociated with said stop means and being actuable upon release of said stop means, a reciprocating member having a yieldabie head for engaging one end of the blank and advancing the latter along said member and into engagement with the stop means, means contacting the upwardly presented edge of the blank for holding said blank against the member as the blank is advanced therealong, a pair of rotatable drums located adjacent the stop means and being provided on their outer peripheries with meshing cutting dies extending transversely of the path of movement of said blank, means for releasing said stop means and simultaneously causing the feeding means to feed the blank between said drums so that the dies cut the blank along a continuous serpentine path and thereby form two comb-shaped elements the teeth of which project in opposite directions, guide members for directing the two elements along different paths as they are discharged from said drums, a frame having opposed horizontal openings on opposite sides thereof, means between said frame and guide members for receiving the elements from the guide members and transferring the elements to positions on opposite sides of said frame, in which position the teeth on one element project upwardly and the teeth on the other element project downwardly, ejector means mounted on the frame and including opposed elongated members projecting through said openings, means for shifting said elongated members in opposite directions and thereby eject the elements from the frame in opposite directions, and means below said frame for collecting the ejected elements and supporting them on their backbones at the base of the teeth.

5. A machine for making comb-shaped elements, said machine comprising a magazine for holding a supply of substantially fiat blanks, a blank-supporting member located in downwardly spaced relation to said magazine and being adjustable toward and away from said magazine, means for Withdrawing the blanks successively from said magazine and placing the downwardly presented edge of the blank against said member, stop means horizontally spaced from said blank when the latter is initially placed on said member, feeding means operatively associated with said stop means and being actuable upon release of said stop means, means for engaging one end of the blank and advancing the latter along said member and into engagement with the stop means, means contacting the upwardly presented edge of the blank for holding said blank against the member as the blank is advanced thereaiong, a pair of rotatable drums located adjacent the stop means and being provided on their outer peripheries with meshing cutting dies extending transversely of the path of movement of said blank, means for releasing said step means and simultaneously causing the feeding means to feed the blank between said drums so that the dies cut the blank along a continuous serpentine path and thereby form two comb-shaped elements the teeth of which project in opposite directions, guide members for directing the two elements along different paths as they are discharged from said drums, a frame, a plurality of rollers between said frame and guide members for receiving the elements from the guide members and transferring the elements to opposed positions on said frame, in which positions the teeth on one element project upwardly and the teeth on the other element project downwardly, ejector means mounted on the frame for ejecting the elements laterally from the frame in opposite directions, and means for receiving the elements ejected from said frame and supporting them on their backbones at the base of the teeth.

6. A machine for making comb-shaped elements, said machine comprising a magazine for holding a supply of substantially flat blanks, a blank-supporting member located in downwardly spaced relation to said magazine and being adjustable toward and away from said magazine. means for withdrawing the blanks successively from said magazine and placing the downwardly presented edge of the blank against said member, stop means horizontally spaced from said blank when the latter is initially placed on said member, feeding means operatively associated with said stop means, means for engaging one end of the blank and advancing the latter along said member and into engagement with the stop means, retaining means contacting the upwardly presented edge of the blank for holding said blank against the member as the blank is advanced therealong, a pair of rotatable drums located adjacent the stop means and being provided on their outer peripheries with meshing cutting dies extending transverse- 13/ of the path of movement of said blank, resilient elements separating the dies on each drum, means for releasing said stop means and simultaneously causing the feeding means associated therewith to feed the blank between said drums so that the dies cut the blank along a continuous serpentine path and thereby form two combshaped elements the teeth of which project in opposite directions and are of equal length, the resilient elements being operable to release the teeth thus formed from the spaces between the dies, guide members for directing the two elements along different paths as they are discharged from said drums, a frame, means between said frame and guide members for receiving the elements from the guide members and transferring the elements to opposed positions on said frame, in which positions the teeth on one element project upwardly and the teeth on the other element project downwardly, ejector means mounted on the frame for ejecting the elements from the frame in opposite directions and causing the element in which the teeth project upwardly to invert, a pair of collector racks below said frame for receiving the elements ejected as they drop off of said frame and supporting them on their backbones at the base of the teeth, and means for operating the withdrawing means, advancing means, stop releasing means, and ejector means in timed relation.

7. A machine for making comb-shaped elements, said machine comprising a magazine for holding a supply of substantially flat blanks, a blank-supporting member located in downwardly spaced relation to said magazine and being adjustable toward and away from said magazine, means for withdrawing the blanks successively from said means and placing the downwardly presented edge of the blank against said member, stop means horizontally speed from said blank when the latter is initially placed on said member, feeding means opcratively associated with said stop means, means for engaging the blank and advancing the latter along said member and into engagement with the stop means, retaining means contacting the upwardly presented edge of the blank for holding said blank against the member as the blank is advanced therealong, a pair of rotatable drums located adjacent the stop means and being provided on their outer peripheries with meshing cutting dies extending transversely of the path of movement of said blank, means for releasing said stop means and simultaneously causing the feeding means associated therewith to feed the blank between said drums so that the dies cut the blank along a continuous serpentine path and thereby form two comb-shaped elem cnts the teeth of which project in opposite directions and are of equal length, guide members for directing the two elements along different paths as they are discharged from said drums, a frame, means between said frame and guide members for receiving the elements from the guide members and transferring the elements to opposed positions on said frame, in which positions the teeth on one ele ment project upwardly and the teeth on the outer element project downwardly, ejector means mounted on the frame for ejecting the elements from the frame in opposite directions and causing the element in which the teeth project upwardly to invert, a pair of collector racks below said frame for receiving the elements ejected as they drop 00. of said frame and supporting them on their backbones at the base of the teeth. and means for operating the withdrawing means, advancing means, stop releasing means, and ejector means in timed relation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 803,972 Beckman Nov. 7, 1905 1,096,539 Jagenberg May 12, 1914 1,829,532 Olson Oct. 27, 1931 1,969,390 Willard Aug. 7, 1934 2,217,977 Arbogast Oct. 15, 1940 2,346,673 Geertsen Apr. 18, 1944 2,365,663 Torrese Dec. 26, 1944 2,761,505 Greiner Sept. 4, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 23,239 Great Britain Nov. 18, 1901 513,896 Italy Feb. 7, 1955 

1. A MACHINE FOR MAKING COMB-SHAPED ELEMENTS, SAID MACHINE COMPRISING CUTTING MEANS OPERABLE TO CUT A BLANK AND FORM TWO COMB-SHAPED ELEMENTS THE TEETH OF WHICH PROJECT IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS, GUIDE MEMBERS FOR DIRECTING THE MOVEMENT OF THE TWO ELEMENTS AS THEY ARE DISCHARGED FROM THE CUTTING MEANS A FRAME HAVING OPENINGS ON THE OPPOSITE SIDES THEREOF, MEANS BETWEEN SAID FRAME AND GUIDE MEMBERS FOR RECEIVING THE ELEMENTS FROM THE GUIDE MEMBERS AND TRANSFERRING THE ELEMENTS TO POSITIONS ON SAID FRAME, IN WHICH POSITION THE TEETH ON ONE ELEMENT PROJECT UPWARDLY AND THE TEETH ON THE OTHER ELEMENT PROJECT DOWNWARDLY, MEANS MOUNTED ON THE FRAME AND INCLUDING OPPOSED MEMBERS PROJECTING THROUGH SAID OPENINGS, MEANS FOR SHIFTING SAID OPPOSED MEMBERS IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS AND THEREBY DISCHARGE THE ELEMENTS FROM THE FRAME, AND MEANS BELOW SAID FRAME FOR COLLECTING THE EJECTED ELEMENTS AND SUPPORTING THEM ON THEIR BACKBONE AT THE BASE OF THE TEETH. 